Has anyone tried to get a barrel laser engraved after it has been cerakoted? I was wondering if it would slighly burn the cerakote or discolor it. Barrel is cerakoted black. Thanks
Gunsmithing Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
- Thread starter excaliber
- Start date
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
I know the laser will burn through the coating but will it damage the cerakote finish?
I know the laser will burn through the coating but will it damage the cerakote finish?
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: excaliber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the laser will burn through the coating but will it damage the cerakote finish? </div></div>
Do you realize that the cerakote finish IS the coating?
If you are asking if the area SURROUNDING the engraving will be damaged, the answer is no.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: excaliber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know the laser will burn through the coating but will it damage the cerakote finish? </div></div>
Do you realize that the cerakote finish IS the coating?
If you are asking if the area SURROUNDING the engraving will be damaged, the answer is no.
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
I know cerakote is the finish. My question is if you have a cerakoted finished barrel and then have it laser engraved, will the laser make the cerakote look burnt around the letters?
I know cerakote is the finish. My question is if you have a cerakoted finished barrel and then have it laser engraved, will the laser make the cerakote look burnt around the letters?
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, It burns through the coating.
I was discussing this with a friend that builds 1911's. According to him, the laser engraving only works on coated pieces. </div></div>
I used to operate a Trumph Laser and we marked material as well as cut it.
We marked (etched) part numbers, Logo's, whatever, on HR and CR mild steel and stainless steel.
When I worked for Harrell's Precision we sent anodized parts out to get numbers etched on them (the barrel tuners). The silver tuners always had some "Bloom" around the numbers and marks where the black ones didn't.
As far as the Cerakote goes, I don't think the Laser would discolor the finish just because the dwell time is not very long. The part will not get very hot because the wattage used for etching is fairly low.
I saw a video of a guy applying a flame from a propane torch to the flash hider of his AR that had been Cerakoted. From what I saw, it appeared that the finish was unharmed, but I would have to be there in person to be absolutely positive.
The best way to see what will happen is to coat a piece of Cold Rolled Steel or some Stainless ( old barrels would be ideal for this) and just do it.
You'll probably have to adjust the wattage at least once since it might be either too much or not enough on the first try (unless your Laser Guy has etched over Cerakoted metal before).
Just my $.02
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, It burns through the coating.
I was discussing this with a friend that builds 1911's. According to him, the laser engraving only works on coated pieces. </div></div>
I used to operate a Trumph Laser and we marked material as well as cut it.
We marked (etched) part numbers, Logo's, whatever, on HR and CR mild steel and stainless steel.
When I worked for Harrell's Precision we sent anodized parts out to get numbers etched on them (the barrel tuners). The silver tuners always had some "Bloom" around the numbers and marks where the black ones didn't.
As far as the Cerakote goes, I don't think the Laser would discolor the finish just because the dwell time is not very long. The part will not get very hot because the wattage used for etching is fairly low.
I saw a video of a guy applying a flame from a propane torch to the flash hider of his AR that had been Cerakoted. From what I saw, it appeared that the finish was unharmed, but I would have to be there in person to be absolutely positive.
The best way to see what will happen is to coat a piece of Cold Rolled Steel or some Stainless ( old barrels would be ideal for this) and just do it.
You'll probably have to adjust the wattage at least once since it might be either too much or not enough on the first try (unless your Laser Guy has etched over Cerakoted metal before).
Just my $.02
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: excaliber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know cerakote is the finish. My question is if you have a cerakoted finished barrel and then have it laser engraved, will the laser make the cerakote look burnt around the letters? </div></div>
To the naked eye, no.
At the microscopic level, yes.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: excaliber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know cerakote is the finish. My question is if you have a cerakoted finished barrel and then have it laser engraved, will the laser make the cerakote look burnt around the letters? </div></div>
To the naked eye, no.
At the microscopic level, yes.
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
Now you've just opened up another flood gate for the analist customer.
They'll be complaining that their finish is not pristine because it was burnt during marking process.
You know someone will.
Now you've just opened up another flood gate for the analist customer.
They'll be complaining that their finish is not pristine because it was burnt during marking process.
You know someone will.
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
I was just envisioning how laser engraving would look against the Cerakote.
When we etched plain, unfinished metal, the markings were not shiny like engraving, they were sort of brownish in color. So, the markings done on the black finish will more than likely result in something that is less than desirable. They will be able to be seen but will not stand out like the shiny markings that engraving would produce.
Without actually having seen etching on Cerakote before, I am making a SWAG here.
It's been 4 years since I've ran that laser so I didn't remember this detail when I was typing out the first one.
I was just envisioning how laser engraving would look against the Cerakote.
When we etched plain, unfinished metal, the markings were not shiny like engraving, they were sort of brownish in color. So, the markings done on the black finish will more than likely result in something that is less than desirable. They will be able to be seen but will not stand out like the shiny markings that engraving would produce.
Without actually having seen etching on Cerakote before, I am making a SWAG here.
It's been 4 years since I've ran that laser so I didn't remember this detail when I was typing out the first one.
Re: Laser engrave after barrel has been cerakoted?
It will be fine. It actually looks a little golden against the surrounding coating. No issue and you will be happy. Done it a kajillion times on "after the fact" rifle builds.
It will be fine. It actually looks a little golden against the surrounding coating. No issue and you will be happy. Done it a kajillion times on "after the fact" rifle builds.
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